Black Music Milestones

Music plays an integral role in our lives, but, at times we take for granted the moments that uniquely changed the game. From the first time Michael Jackson moonwalked for the American public to the day five guys from Compton, Calif. got together to form the world’s most dangerous group, here are our top 20 black music milestones.

Rock Goes Rap

In 1986, DJ Jam Master Jay persuaded his partners in Run DMC to cover an old Aerosmith hit. ‘Walk This Way’ became hip-hop’s first Top 10 single and signified the moment when hip-hop crossed over into the pop world.

In the early ’90s, Uptown Records intern Sean Combs was put in charge of developing new R&B artist Mary J. Blige. By laying her smoky vocals over hard hip-hop beats, Puffy and his muse birthed the sound of hip-hop soul.

In 1948, after her secular recordings had flopped, a Mahalia Jackson was enlisted by her producer to record a song called ‘Move On Up a Little Higher.’ Her bluesy vocals pushed the record over the 2 million sales mark and made her gospel’s first superstar.

The influential rap group burst onto the scene with their now-classic album ‘Straight Outta Compton.’ Its profanity-laced lyrics and violent imagery kickstarted the “gangsta rap” movement and inspired rappers for generations to come.

At the renowned 1969 festival, Jimi Hendrix played his electric guitar with his teeth, behind his back and even set it on fire during the climax of his set. He awed the audience and instantly upped the ante for every band that followed.

Released during the ’70s soul movement, Wonder’s ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ and Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ laid the blueprint for conceptual, socially conscious R&B. The albums remain artistic benchmarks for the genre.

Jacko was already a star before ‘Thriller’ hit shelves in ’83. But after he glided across the stage during the ‘Motown 25′ special, his album became one of the biggest of all time.

The Rise of Motown

In the 1960s, Motown Records broke the Top 10 charts more than 100 times. With its intense focus on artist development, the house that Berry Gordy built changed pop music by introducing soul to black and white listeners alike.

In 2005, after years of warring on wax, the two Kings of New York declared a truce before thousands of fans in New Jersey. Nas eventually signed with his former rival’s label, proving that solidarity does indeed exist in hip-hop.

First recorded for a school project, Salt-N-Pepa’s ‘The Show Stopper’ brought girl power to the testosterone-filled world of hip-hop and paved the way for female MCs everywhere.

‘Rapper’s Delight’ Hits the Streets

In 1979, Sugarhill Records founder Sylvia Robinson signed three amateur MCs she dubbed the Sugarhill Gang and took hip-hop music beyond New York City to a world of fans.

The Apollo Starts ‘Amateur Night’

Since its inception in 1934, this outlet for rookie performers has launched the careers of James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Luther Vandross and more, truly living up to its reputation as “the place where stars are born and legends are made.”

Blues legend Muddy Waters led a young Chuck Berry to his first label deal. With signature riffs and catchy melodies, Berry’s demo ‘Maybelline’ became an instant smash, marking the dawn of rock ‘n’ roll.

When she joined Atlantic Records in the ’60s, Aretha Franklin grew from a once unsuccessful singer into the Queen of Soul. More than 40 years later, there isn’t a modern songstress whose vocal wails don’t pay homage to her majesty.

Not only did their deaths alter the way hip-hop beefs were handled, but the shootings — which occurred within six months of each other — cemented Pac and Biggie’s positions as two of the most influential MCs ever.

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